Posted tagged ‘Old Firm’

We refer to the above and take this opportunity to make a statement on behalf of the club. Firstly we appreciate that there have been numerous calls for us to produce such a statement specifically outlining our voting intentions with regard to Rangers Newco entering the SFL. We have been of the opinion that we did not wish to issue a statement when a) we had no actual proposal and therefore no decision to make, and b) more importantly, until we were in full receipt of all the facts. We are now in a more enlightened position. (more…)

It would appear that in recent days there has been some form of explosion on twitter and fans sites regarding the new blog aptly named ‘Celtic Tax Case’.

I will admit, i first of all fell into the trap of thinking that this website was going to entail a serious attempt to look at financial issues at Celtic (such as the well known attendance figures scam that it is safe to say has been used by many a football club over the years).

My first reaction was, “Oh no! I hope this isn’t some desperate fan that is going to make an arse of themselves” followed by, ” but let’s see what they come up with anyway”.

All of those thought were indeed before the first blog was actually published.

Now, having had an opportunity to read the blog i feel the need to commend the author on what is a brilliant parody, bringing some light relief to what has thus far been a tedious journey of legal puke on our doorsteps every day.

My own thoughts have been recently that the Rangers ‘Tax case’ and administration situation has been a bit like watching formula 1 on the T.V. An explosive start followed by lap after lap of boring pish. You would be as well turning it off and tuning back in for the final few laps again when things might get moderately exciting.

So well done to that person. My own thoughts is that it is most likely a Celtic fan trolling but I really couldn’t care less. The fact is simple: it’s a funny website.

In the wake of Glasgow Rangers rather forced entry into voluntary administration many over eager fans from all other SPL teams seem determined to throw in their tuppance worth in view of life without the Glasgow team.

One school of thought is that the SPL would be doomed without Rangers, their supporter revenue and importance to any future if not current T.V. deals.

Another is that the SPL would prosper – if not in the same capacity it could thrive. (more…)

Another day breaks icy cold and slippery sloped before a ‘vital’ SPL encounter with Hibernian at Ibrox.

Normally, a Saturday 3pm fixture resulted in the excitement of waking up, eating your breakfast – unhealthily fried- and reading the paper for any team news for the day ahead. There wasn’t a day went by that some footballing controversy wasn’t in the papers, usually irrelevant but not to those of the opposite persuasion outraged as they flicked from the back page headline to the no doubt Heinz blotched page where the story unfurled.

Those days are gone.

There is often a need to romanticise football in Scotland, the World in fact. Nostalgia plays a large part as even the most mundane of characters wax lyrical about the goal they witnessed the previous week, such guile, such craft.

A lot has been happening in the short time since i last decided to comment on a subject that either interested or Irked me.

First of all let’s comment on the ever-present tax case involving Rangers Football Club. The tribunal is now well underway and yet no one is willing to gamble on the outcome of such.Mainly due to the fact no one is entirely sure of the facts.

Other websites/blogs on the internet have an in-depth fascination with the tax case and for that purpose i do not see any merit in me making much comment on the possibilities. What i will do is comment on Scottish Football and the future of Rangers Football Club in my own view.Nothing of authority, just simple point of view.

Glasgow Rangers are classically known as one half of the ‘old firm’ and in a statement that will no doubt get the kickers of every provincial club supporters in a twist : They ARE Scottish Football.

Much speculation is being made on what should happen to Rangers should they cease to exist. Should they have their trophy and titles removed from their period of ‘cheating’ – well, the simple answer is no, because at no point was this system of paying through EBT’s ever expressly implied as an illegal method of finance in the SFA/SPL/ FIFA/UEFA/any other guideline or constitution at this time. Therefore, we cannot punish in retrospect. Simple. Although this idea may be a ‘wet dream’ in the eyes of many it is an otherwise non – starter unless someone somewhere could present a very concluding argument on it’s failure of ‘natural justice’. This would further be hampered however, in a world where World Football Governing bodies allows a club like Monaco to be run through funding from a Principality, Real Madrid by loans issued by Spanish Government concerned banks (Caja Madrid) to sums beyond their ability to pay back and at hugely subsidised rates .Not to mention numerous clubs funded by Russian ‘alleged gangsters’. It would be hard to punish Rangers for flaunting tax laws (If that is found to be the case) when other clubs, much larger and with much more power are arguably up to similar or worse . Not defending Rangers here, merely pointing out other frailties in the system.

One one hand, he is seen as a greedy failure with a tendency to create superlative lies in a bid to paper over the cracks of his office, or to defraud and vilify others. No,wait – this is how he is viewed on both sides of the divide. The only difference is the terminology.